Over 4,400 scientists, including Nobel laureates, from 87 countries call for a halt in tragedy in Gaza

Stressing that “nothing in this historical record” can “justify” the horrors faced by a civilian population in Gaza, the over 4,400 scientists have in a statement urged the Israeli Government to “act immediately to end this human-made humanitarian crisis”

Over 4,400 scientists from 87 countries have signed a statement urging immediate action to the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The signatories include 14 Nobel laureates, five Fields Medal winners, 21 Breakthrough Prize winners, 34 Dirac Prize winners, four Wolf Prize winners, and two Abel/Turing Prize winners.

Besides David Harel, who is the President of the Israeli Academy of Sciences and Humanities, 84 other scientists from Israel have signed the statement dated August 21, 2025. With 310 signatories, India has the fifth highest number of scientists signing the statement. With 921, Italy has the highest number of signatories, followed by the Spain with 449, U.S. with 429, France with 326, Brazil with 267, the U.K. with 247, Switzerland with 138, Japan with 112, and Netherlands with 104 signatories.

The statement, signed by scientists in their personal capacity, highlights the “artificial shortage of food… leading to a famine-like situation”, “enforced denial of medical facilities”, “absence of even a modicum of education for children” and the “systematic annihilation of civil infrastructure (including universities)”. It turns the spotlight on the general “disregard for the rights, well-being, and life of the civilian population of Gaza”.

While the statement condemns the “brutal attack” by Hamas in October 2023, and the “inhuman conditions” under which Israeli hostages are held and calls for “immediate release” of the hostages, the statement also condemns the killing of “tens of thousands of innocent lives” in Gaza, including almost 1,000 infants less than one-year olds.

Stressing that “nothing in this historical record” can “justify” the horrors faced by civilian population in Gaza, the scientists have urged the Israeli Government to “act immediately to end this human-made humanitarian crisis”, and has called upon all governments and international institutions across the world to “exert all available means so there is a halt to this tragedy”.

Featured image photo credit: Mohammed Ibrahim